Bible Reading: Psalm 26, 1 John 4:15-21
“Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: for our God is a consuming fire” – Hebrew 12 :28-29(KJV).
Yesterday we looked at the word fear as it is used in scriptures. We shall begin by further elucidating on the third meaning of the word fear. This type of fear is not a gift from God; it is born out of man’s perception of the mightiness and terribleness of God. Such was the fear that came upon the camp of Israel when God smashed the rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiran. Those who challenged the authority of God and experienced divine retribution has this kind of fear for God. However, this is the type of fear that torments and as God’s children we are not called to it. This is what Apostle Paul referred to in 2 Timothy 1:7a(KJV), “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear.” John the Apostle talked about this fear in 1 John 4: 18(KJV) when he wrote, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment: He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”
The first two definitions of the use of the word is what is referred to in our text above, “………whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” – Hebrew 12: 28b(KJV). It is properly defined and separated as godly fear i.e. fear coming from a godly living and a godly heart. This is the fear that is rooted in deep love for God. This is what the bible refers to in Proverb 1:7a(KJV), “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge:” This is the fear that God expect us to have for him. This type of fear produces holiness. “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” -2 Corinthians 7:1(KJV). It is this type of fear that enables and strengthen us to live a holy life.
These kinds of fear (first and second defined meaning of fear) produces godly sorrow that leads to genuine repentance. Sadly, this type of fear is lacking these days in the body of Christ. In the modern Christianity, people have given different interpretations to godliness; immorality has crept into the church, Pastors sleep with the members of their congregation and still minister from the altar of God. Thieves and criminals now use the altar to show off their ill-gotten wealth. Position in the church is now for the highest bidder. Outward show is winning more followers than the purity of the heart and sanctity. People hardly care whether their sacrifice is acceptable to God or not. Once man accepts it, why should they border? Praises of the highest donors echo through the entire congregation, while the poor genuine worshippers of God are considered liabilities. Pastors no longer pray for the spiritual wellbeing of their congregation, instead they have become prophets for drug peddlers and criminals. When a rotten politician want to appease God he builds a church for the ministry with ill-gotten wealth and he is applauded. Fraudsters and embezzlers are ordained deacons and elders. They buy their ways into the church board of trustees. Tribal sentiment and favouritism is considered acceptable in the congregation of saints. All these are as a result of the absence of reverence for God and Godly fear. These are signs of the last days. We must remain spiritually alert and strive to separate ourselves from these menace and irresponsible living.
PLEASE NOTE! GOD IS NOT MOCKED: WHATEVER A MAN SOWS, THAT SHALL HE ALSO REAP.
Prayer: Father help me to be in the world but not of the world. Give me the grace to overcome the terrible level of moral decadence in the world.
Bro. Joel Ezeugo